Saturday, March 29, 2008

My snooze button life.

Yesterday, I hit the snooze button five times, which allowed me to postpone the day for another 45 minutes. I wasn't late to work, but it did cut into my quiet time. It also made me think about the other ways that we hit the snooze button in our lives.

Waiting on God is one of the biggest challenges we face I think. When there is something we believe we're supposed to do, but are not certain, we often push pause. We slow down and stop. We pray and seek counsel and allow the days on the calendar to stack up on top of each other.

I think this can be good. I am too impulsive. I jump into things too quickly sometimes and try to force God's hand. But at the same time, sometimes I miss God's call out of fear. I resist his adventure for concern I will mess it up. I don't get to take part in the story because I refuse to jump onto the page.

Paul's approach to this in Galatians is pretty interesting. Here is how he describes his ministry in Chapter 1: 15-17But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.

I really like that Paul says specifically, "I did not consult any man." He didn't seek counsel or seek out answers slowly. With the word of God at his back, he pressed on quickly and "went immediately."

Granted, Paul's experience on the road to Damascus was extraordinary and maybe your word from God feels small and quiet. And maybe you need counsel right now more than you need anything else. But it could be that instead of waiting or consulting or being still, God has put something burning on your heart. And like Paul and thousands before him, you're not supposed to push the snooze button, you're just supposed to go.

2 comments:

The snooze button in my life is about worn out! Sometimes I wonder when I'm going to accomplish the big things God has called me to... and then I realize that my idea of big and His are different. And maybe I've actually done more than I think. I just have to get going on the rest!